5 Industrial Stocks Funds Love for 2012

Industrial stocks might not be the sexiest names on the market, but that's exactly why funds have been buying them with both hands in the last few months.

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From GE, and onto one of GE's major partners: Boeing ( BA). Last quarter, funds picked up 9.72 million shares of Boeing, adding onto their $39 billion position in the firm. That share addition makes Boeing the second-most-bought industrial name in the fourth quarter.

Boeing is a $55 billion aerospace company that targets the commercial aviation and defense markets. As black clouds form over defense contractors, Boeing is benefitting from the increased impetus on more efficient airliners. After long delays, the firm's 787 entered commercial service in October, offering airlines a 20% reduction in fuel consumption from the similarly sized 767. And new engine systems on the popular 737 offer carriers better efficiency on a familiar platform.

With rising oil prices weighing on airlines' profitability, Boeing should have a strong tailwind at its back this year.

That's not to say that Boeing is bowing out of the defense business. The firm holds lucrative contracts right now, including one to replace nearly half of the Air Force's aging refueling tanker fleet. Boeing's mission-critical contracts should keep it more immune to defense budget cuts than most.